No matter where you are or whatever you were doing, every spring there was this one event that the Oklahoma Sooners used to host for their diehard fans. An annual exhibition where all Sooners used to come together both in the stands and in the gridiron to put on a show. Not just a show. It was a traditional spring game at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium where more than 75,000 fans attended just to get a glimpse of their new Sooners. Like in 2022 during Brent Venables’ first season, a spring attendance record of 75,360 fans came to see the exhibition game before the kickoff in fall. Everything was on the right track until the Sooners decided why not shake things up—and follow the pack.

See, starting this year, Sooners are ditching the idea of the age-old traditional spring games. They are going with, let’s just say something that doesn’t involve playing football. Anything other than football. Maybe that’s why their former alum, Gerald McCoy, isn’t too pleased with the idea. He basically thrashed the Sooners on his latest X post, blaming them for not thinking about the young players.

“So no spring game? Just a showcase? No opportunity for young guys to perform in front of fans? Guys who have improved to do it in front of the fans. What about the guys who may never see the field in a real game, getting an opportunity in the spring game to get reps in front of a crowd. Aight I guess. Love y’all. Always a Sooner but count me out on this one. Guess I’m officially an old head now.” I guess what McCoy is trying to point out is not everyone gets to perform in front of the fans once the season comes around. 

Some either get cut, some get injured, or some fail to make an impression even during the season. So, the spring game could have been a great platform to show fans what you are actually capable of in a real game. However, the thing the Sooners have now gone with doesn’t allow them to do so. It’s basically a set of combine-style drill challenges, more fan engagement, autograph sessions and photo-ops. Nothing related to scoring TDs, breaking tackles, drawing explosive plays, anything like that.

Well, actually Sooners are following what other programs have already done. Big Ten programs like Nebraska, Ohio State and USC have already canceled their respective spring games. And more are expected to follow. Hell, Oklahoma has also come up with a new name for this new era of Spring football—Crimson Combine. Hmm! A catchy name to please the fans. So, let’s see how well their fans react to it. Because we already know, McCoy is not pleased, and there could be more.

And while their Crimson Combine is giving vibes like orange is the new black, it seems their team has a few admirers out there. Former Alabama alum Greg McElroy has an interesting insight on the upcoming Sooners season.

Greg McElroy drops a wild prediction on Sooners 2025 season

See, the Sooners are coming off a horrible 2-6 SEC record and an overall 6-7 finish under Brent Venables last season. Of course, the expectation from them will be to improve. Otherwise Venables could be gone by the time 2026 arrives. So, with the pressure mounting on Oklahoma to deliver, former Jets QB Greg McElroy believes they are an active volcano that can explode any time. “One of the biggest sleepers in the sport for me this upcoming season, the Oklahoma Sooners. This is a team that I’m wildly bullish on.” 

Well, there have been some significant changes that could be the reason McElroy thinks Sooners are destined for greater things. Oklahoma has brought in a new OC in Ben Arbuckle.

Under his tutelage, Washington State’s offense ranked 17th and 6th in scoring. So, something similar or more is expected from Arbuckle in Owen Field. And let’s not forget the new QB John Mateer. He is coming off an incredible season with the Cougars passing for 3,139 yards and 29 TDs. Not just in the air—even on the ground—Mateer was simply explosive. 826 rushing yards with 15 TDs. Maybe those are the numbers that can help the Sooners make McElroy’s vision come true. If not, then Venables may have to start packing his bags because time is running out for him, including the fans’ patience.